Hundreds bid farewell to Gunsell

Gunsell, who grew up in Huron County and worked for several years at the Caseville Police Department, worked for the Otsego County Sheriffs Department for the past five years.

They came from all over the state - from cities large and small, villages and townships, rural and urban areas. They came to honor the veteran police officer of 21 years, in numbers large enough to warrant shutting down Main Street - M-32 - for several hours as the police motorcade, slowly and somberly, red and blue lights activated, made its way to the Gaylord Evangelical Free Church.

Officers from police departments in Huron County, including Bad Axe, Port Austin and Caseville, made the trip north to honor one of their own, as did officers from Lansing, Grand Rapids, Antrim County and Traverse City.

Port Austin Police Chief Dale Hartsell, who trained under Gunsell at the Caseville Police Department, worked with the Otsego County deputy for seven years.

Oh yeah, he was one of the good guys," he said. "John always had a story. Hell be missed.

Trooper Larry Verga of the Michigan State Police Bad Axe post, said he first met Gunsell in 1987 when the two responded to numerous dispatch calls in Huron County.

Even if it was out of his area and you were looking for help, you could count of John being there," he said. He was always running, always on the move. He was on the volunteer fire department for several years, while working as a police officer. He used to carry his fire helmet and gear in the back of his patrol car and was ready for anything. He was a great guy.

As the procession worked its way through downtown Gaylord, several students from St. Mary Cathedral Schools and the Gaylord Middle School lined the sidewalks in small groups to quietly view the passing patrol cars. Gunsell had presented Buster the School Bus safety programs to area elementary students.

Eight pallbearers, officers representing local city, county and state law enforcement agencies, carried the casket into the church, and several hundred officers snapped to attention and held their salute until Gunsell and his family were inside.

At Thursdays service, Gunsell was remembered by the Rev. Jim Mathis as a man who had such a sweet spirit that you couldnt say no to him. He recalled the many conversations the two had over the years.

John was open about his weaknesses and talked at great length about how to work on and solve his problems," he said. "I will always remember, though, whenever he would leave hed look at me and say that it was going to be all right. Its going to be all right.

Otsego County Sheriff Jim McBride, who knew Gunsell from the Thumb area where the two grew up, said his deputy, was put on this earth to help people. John was an asset to our community.

To illustrate his point, McBride related how on Wednesday night during visitation at the funeral home, an elderly couple approached him with a sympathy card.

They told me they had been in an accident five days ago out in a wooded area in which John had responded to. They said John had helped them and wanted me to know he was wonderful person," he said. "John had that impact on people.

Otsego County Deputy Sgt. Mike Anthony also spoke of the positive impact Gunsell had on those around him.

John made everyone his friend, whether you wanted to be or not, he chuckled. Everyone in our department has a story about John. It was John who I talked to when I needed something done on short notice. You can count on me to get it done, he would tell me and then go out and do it. You could count on John.

Following the service, officers assembled outside, again at attention. The flag draping Gunsells coffin was folded by members of the honor guard and presented to his family by McBride.

Following funeral services in Gaylord the hearse transporting Gunsell was escorted back to Huron County where a second funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Sebewaing.